As a low-income student I thought that studying abroad would be too expensive. However, after my semester abroad I found that to be untrue. With the help from scholarships and other financial aid resources, it turned out to be around the same cost a semester at MSU.

New Zealand is a beautiful country. The Massey University campus I was at was the one in Palmerston North. From my experience, New Zealanders are very easy going. Instruction was mostly hands-off and the people I met had a go-with-the-flow attitude. Māori words are also a big thing there. Phrases such as “kia ora” as a greeting are common and food is often referred to as “kai.” Massey has a bunch of student led clubs, one that is populated with foreigners is the Alpine club, which takes people on hikes every weekend. I joined it and met a bunch of new people, so I would definitely recommend it.

Some notable things were the prices of everything. Food and gas prices are really high compared to suburban Michigan prices. Also, the drinking age in New Zealand is 18, so freshman can go out and drink at the bars in town. Since the drinking age is lower, it seemed like everyone drank more regularly than I’ve seen at MSU so if you don’t drink be prepared to be surrounded by people that do. Public transportation is free in Palmerston North because the university provides a bus card for students living on campus.

During the mid-semester break I took a trip up the North Island to the coast to visit beaches. They drive on the left, but the adjustment was easy since the cars are made to be driven that way. The roads were winding and passed through mountains often. Gas stations were scarce so it’s best to fill up when you get halfway through a tank. As a single female traveler, I felt safe in all the places I visited. Since I went during the off season, nothing was busy and it was a very peaceful trip.

Academically, this experience has allowed me to focus on how I study independently and how to improve my studying methods. Personally, I was able to meet a variety of different people and improve my ability to enjoy activities alone.

Studying abroad is a valuable experience that can be attainable for low-income students. I budgeted throughout my program, things like joining clubs let me meet people and explore New Zealand without spending money and staying at hostels helped save money during the break. I also opted for the dining plan, I think that this, though not the most budget-friendly option, was important because it ensured that I got fed well and never had to worry about food throughout the semester. Without the meal plan I would have been eating ramen since grocery prices are so high there.

• Name: Mia Rush
• Status: Sophomore
• Major: Food Science
• Hometown: Byron Center, Michigan
• Program: Massey University in New Zealand